Miami Palms Blog

Javier Vazquez, after a rough season in 2011 wishes to straighten things out before retirement after this season. He will start the season as the opening day starter after going 8-13 in 2011 with a 4.60 ERA. His best quality is the work he puts in, keeping a faulty bullpen off the mound while he keeps the game competitive. He had a severe drop in strikeout rate last year, which undoubtedly was a factor in his skyrocketing ERA. The hope is that he can put together a strong season and straighten things out for 2012, his victory lap in Miami.

Orlando Tiropes has been with the team for a few years now, but has never yet come into his own. Unlike many who have come up through the Palms system, Tiropes is known more for his defense than his offense. Since he is such a rare commodity, he has seen a lot of playing time in past seasons. This season, with two new excellent defenders in the lineup, Tiropes likely won't see the field much, but is vital for bench depth.

Frank Sohn is the stereotypical 5 tool player. He was always speedy and an excellent fielder with a good arm. Things have really taken off now with his bat as well. Sohn hit 30 home runs in 2011, while hitting .315. He also drove in 108 runs and hit 43 doubles, team leads in all categories. Of a crop of three potential star outfielders a few years back, Sohn is the only one that remains, and is likely the best of the bunch (coincidentally, both Ayoz Sadan and Joe Gras have gone to the Royals). Sohn will anchor the lineup, and will be supported by Matt Holliday batting beind him.

While no pitcher in the Palms bullpen was any good in 2011, Schoppe might have been the most curious case, because he wasn't much worse that he typically is. His K rate was about the same, he didn't see a marked increase in batting average against, and he actually showed better control. Like the rest of the staff, however, he gave up the long ball with much greater frequency. If he keeps the homers in check, he will be back to the regular Don Schoppe, for better or worse.

Dennis Sarfate was an interesting case this season. His home run rate and strikeout rate were both way down, a correlation that certainly doesn't seem to jive. He was hittable, but managed to keep the ball down. His option was picked up, because the Palms see some value in his ability to keep his walk total down, and feel that he should be able to improve his strikeout rate, back to the levels he demonstrated before he was signed with the Palms

Where did Santos come from last year? After being the backup to Eddie Black for a season, he was slotted to split time with new acquisition Jose Molina in 2011. Somehow, between the two, they were more productive than Eddie Black the year before. Santos saw his batting average jump from .253 to .314. He hit 18 homers in only 84 games, a pace of 35 if he had played every day. He will likely be a regular this season after his incredible break out in 2011, though it will be hard to keep Jose Molina off the field.

Martin Prado has been a revelation for the Palms at third base. He has regularly hit above .300, and last year hit 25 home runs. He could play any position, really, particularly in the outfield, but has been a regular third baseman, with 4 quality outfielders and a second baseman on the roster. His versatility in the field and excellent overall bat make him potentially the most valuable member of the 2012 Palms, even with Matt Holliday joining the roster.

Manny Parra stepped into the closer role the same way his predecessor did. He was once a starter, and therefore had the stuff to fool batters for a few innings. He must be excellent then, with only an inning to work with, right? Parra, like the rest of the 2011 bullpen, struggled. Still, outside of Felix Gonsales, he was the best option out of the pen, and will keep his role in 2012, all while trying to work his way back into the rotation going forward.

With the departure of two middle infielders this season, the Palms needed to bolster their depth. They have done so with youth, including Johnny Giovotella and former Yankee Eduardo Nunez. Nunez is the projected starter at short, having a little bit more experience than Giovotella, and experience playing within the AL East at that. He should be good for an average of around .270 and a few homeruns. He has never been an every day player, so his overall contribution to the team's success this season remains to be seen. It will be tough to replace Paul Janish, but Nunez has plenty of time to find his game in Miami.